Pete Sessions

In the 2024 House race for TX-17, Peter Sessions (R) defeated Mark Lorenzen (D) 66.3% to 33.6%. Peter Sessions received 193,101 votes compared to 97,941 for Mark Lorenzen, a dominant 32.7-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

As the incumbent, Peter Sessions benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. The 2024 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket. The wide margin suggests this district is firmly in the Republican column for the foreseeable future.

In the 2022 House race for TX-17, Peter Sessions (R) defeated Mary Jo Woods (D) 66.5% to 33.5%. Peter Sessions received 144,408 votes compared to 72,801 for Mary Jo Woods, a dominant 33.0-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

As the incumbent, Peter Sessions benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. As a Republican, Peter Sessions benefited from the historical midterm penalty against the president's party — with a Democrat in the White House, the opposition typically gains seats. The wide margin suggests this district is firmly in the Republican column for the foreseeable future.

In the 2020 House race for TX-17, Peter Sessions (R) won with 55.9% of the vote, defeating Rick Kennedy (D) who received 40.9%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. Peter Sessions's 14.9-point lead over the runner-up showed solid but not overwhelming support.

This was an open-seat race with no incumbent running — Bill Flores (R) previously held the seat. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2020 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.

In the 2016 House race for TX-32, Pete Sessions (R) won with 71.1% of the vote, defeating Ed Rankin (L) who received 19.0%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. Pete Sessions's 52.1-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

As the incumbent, Pete Sessions benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. The 2016 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.

In the 2014 House race for TX-32, Pete Sessions (R) won with 61.8% of the vote, defeating Frank Perez (D) who received 35.4%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. Pete Sessions's 26.4-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

As the incumbent, Pete Sessions benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. As a Republican, Pete Sessions benefited from the historical midterm penalty against the president's party — with a Democrat in the White House, the opposition typically gains seats.

In the 2012 House race for TX-32, Pete Sessions (R) won with 58.3% of the vote, defeating Katherine Savers Mcgovern (D) who received 39.5%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. Pete Sessions's 18.8-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

This was an open-seat race. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2012 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.